The 2019 Wolf Pack football season gets underway in one week. Nevada has 12 games on its regular-season schedule, beginning with a visit from Purdue of the Big Ten on Aug. 30. We’ll take a close look at all 12 opponents, from the opener to a late-November meeting with UNLV.

The series continues with Nevada opening its Mountain West schedule with a visit from Hawaii.

The game

Who: Hawaii at Nevada

When: Sept. 28, TBA

Where: Mackay Stadium (27,000)

TV: ESPN networks

Radio: 94.5 FM/630 AM

Series: Nevada leads, 14-9

Last time: Nevada 40, Hawaii 22 (2018)

The opponent — Hawaii

Coach: Nick Rolovich (fourth year, 18-22)

Last year: 8-6 (lost Hawaii Bowl)

Last five years: 25-41

Offense: 30.8 ppg; 419.9 ypg

Defense: 35.1 ppg; 439.7 ypg

Turnover margin: minus-9

Players to watch (offense)

For the Warriors, it all begins with quarterback Cole McDonald (3,875 yards, 36 TDs), one of the most dangerous players in the Mountain West. He’s got some outstanding targets to throw to, including Cedric Byrd (79 receptions, 970 yards, nine TDs) and JoJo Ward (51/865/9). The experienced line is solid, led by guard Solo Vaipulu.

Players to watch (defense)

Nine starters return on defense for Hawaii, which will be looking for big improvement on its national ranks of 109th (scoring) and 100th (yardage). Leading tacklers Solomon Matautia (92) and Penei Pavihi (87) both return at linebacker.

Notable

* The Nevada-Hawaii series has been dominated by the home teams, with Nevada winning eight of the nine games in Reno and Hawaii winning eight of the 14 in Honolulu.

* The Wolf Pack’s only loss in its historic 2010 season came at Hawaii, a 27-21 setback that dropped Nevada to 6-1.

* Hawaii is only 93-169-3 (.357) all-time in games on the mainland.

Best case/worst case

Best case for Pack: Nevada extends its home record against the Warriors with smart offensive play and some game-changing plays on defense, getting the Mountain West season off to a good start.

Worst case for Pack: McDonald and his receiving corps are too much for a developing Pack secondary and Hawaii escapes the mainland with a 1-0 start in Mountain West play.

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